The tech caller at last year's Japanese nationals downgraded one of the 3a in Mao's LP. I replayed both her 3axels frame by frame, from different camera angles, and I am utterly boggled as to the difference between them even after the millionth viewing. I am convinced tech callers just close their eyes and jab on their touchscreens blindly.

So why is Kanako 9 points behind Mao and only one ahead of Fumie? A 3/3? She is the only one who landed one so far. I did not the rest of her skating but it seems like she should be closer to Mao.

base points for 3t+3t is barely higher than a 3Lz+2t, the former being 8 points and later 7.3 points (i believe ). so she is not gaining much by doing 3+3 here, Kanako probably lost levels in spiral and spins, which could explain her the TES.

the actual TES score for Mao is 36.84 and 33.80, this looks close enough.